Fed Cup: McHale, Huber Join Williamses

U.S. to Face Belarus In Worcester, Mass., Feb. 4-5

Thirteen-time Slam titlist Serena Williams will be joined by her sister Venus Williams, Christina McHale and world No. 1 doubles player Liezel Huber in representing the U.S. against Belarus in the 2012 Fed Cup World Group II First Round at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., February 4-5.  Sloane Stephens will serve as a practice [...]

Aussie Open: Serena’s Lousy Exit

American Upset 6-2, 6-3 By Lowest Ranked Player Remaining In Draw

Serena Williams experienced much frustration in losing her fourth-round Australian Open match to Ekaterina Makarova. “I can think of a hundred things I can do better.” This is how Williams described her dismissal at the first Grand Slam event of 2012. That’s a lousy exit. When you’re Serena Williams — a 13-time major champ, including [...]

All About Adam and Eve (Not Adam and Steve)

Australian Open Buzz: Day 9

Lleyton Hewitt was never the most popular player in the locker room or the press room.  His repeated shouts of “C’MON!” haven’t always endeared himself to opponents.  The ultra-competitive Aussie has been an unwitting recipient of the Prix Citron at Roland Garros, the dubious annual award that is presented to the tour’s No. 1 sourpuss.  [...]

The Buzz: 2011 In Review

Occupy ATP (and Other Tales of the Good, the Strange, the Weird and the Bizarre)

WORST ANALYSIS OF THE YEAR: Mary Rhodes said that Victoria Azarenka (the loudest screecher in the game) was “quietly working her way through [the draw].” INTRO TO PARENTING 101: Of his son, Pete Sampras complained, “I don’t know what’s going on in this kid’s head. Anything I say, he does the opposite.”…After the arrival of [...]

Where Have All the American Champions Gone?

“Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing…after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” — Winston Churchill The politician’s eyes twinkle. His voice quivers as he speaks of “a shining city upon a hill.”  The TV analyst muses on “American exceptionalism,” while down at the arena frenetic fans rock the gym with [...]

Of Armed Hippies and Wild Animals

The Buzz

AUTO (NOT) CORRECT: Andy Roddick tweeted, “I just texted the word ‘badass’ and it autocorrected it to Nagasaki.” Bob Bryan wrote, “I meant to send ‘xoxoxo’ to my wife and it autocorrected it to Codfish!”

Critical Mass.: Worcester Selected as Fed Cup Site

DCU Center to Host U.S. vs. Belarus Tie, Feb. 4-5, 2012

The DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., has been selected as the site for the 2012 Fed Cup World Group II opening-round tie between the U.S. and Belarus, Feb. 4-5. Thirteen-time Slam champion Serena Williams has already committed to play, while current world No. 4 Victoria Azarenka is expected to compete for Belarus. “The DCU Center [...]

Serena’s Storm; Djokovic’s Year of Wonder

A Look Back At a Super Wild, Super Weird U.S. Open

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — The entire stadium held its collective breath. After chair umpire Eva Asderaki uttered the fateful words, “It’s her point,” there was a hush in the vast arena. Everyone from primetime pop stars in the President’s Box and to Vinny in Row Z knew a storm was about to hit. The fury [...]

U.S. Open Buzz: We’re Zingin’ In the Rain

Of the Whiffs, Wonders and Wisdom of a Curious Game They Call Tennis

YOU’RE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE: Teen Jack Sock confided, “When you play on Ashe [Stadium] at the Open, it feels a lot different than playing at Blue Valley North in May at the high school state championship.” MUCH ADIEU ABOUT NOTHING: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga said, “My game is very good when I have nothing in my [...]

Sam I Am: Stosur 2011 U.S. Open Champion

Serena (Again) Sparks Controversy In Emotional 6-2, 6-3 Defeat

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y. — It was a somber day in New York, a day of remembrance, a day of reflection.  American flags hung over parkway overpasses along the Hutchinson, the Sprain, the Taconic.  New Yorkers observed poignant moments of silence, first at 8:46 a.m., then at 9:03 a.m., the exact times the planes struck the [...]